Update:
On Pentecost Sunday, parishioners had a chance to meet our newest Franciscan Friar, Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM, as he celebrated his first Masses since joining us at Sacred Heart as a parochial vicar.
Presiding over the 10:30 a.m. and noon Masses, Fr. Steve brought out some snacks as props to help us understand how he believes he fits into the scheme of both the Friars, which he views as a tin of “mixed nuts,” as well as the Church as a whole.
If you attended a different Mass, and would like to see Fr. Steve’s introductory homily, you can view it below:
Original Post:
Sacred Heart is delighted to announce that Fr. Stephen (Steve) Kluge, OFM, will join the parish as a parochial vicar in early June.
Fr. Steve most recently served as a pastoral associate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Long Beach, N.J. just 40 miles from where he was raised in Point Pleasant, N.J.
Fr. Steve joined the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province in 1994, and has served as a friar for more than 27 years. Fr. Steve earned a Master’s of Divinity from the Washington Theological Union in Washington D.C. and was ordained in 2001.
Fr. Steve has spent most of his ministerial life with the people of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Jersey, including seven years as pastor. Prior to returning to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Jersey, Fr. Steve was parochial vicar of St. Francis Parish in Raleigh, N.C., where he ministered to men on death row, and served as the spiritual assistant to the local Secular Franciscan Fraternity.
Fr. Steve is also a poet and author of a well received book of poetry entitled, “From a Parish Priest.”
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, the current pastor at St. Francis of Assisi in New Jersey, said of Fr. Steve in a recent goodbye letter, “I always enjoyed living with Steve and ministering beside him. He is a man of deep prayer and great faith. I will certainly miss him, his counsel, and his wonderful ability to teach complicated mysteries in ways that even the simplest among us can understand. He has a great way of weaving his humor into pretty much everything.”
Please join the friars and staff in welcoming Fr. Steve as part of our parish upon his arrival.
